Better self
After my half-marathon back in April, I quit running cold turkey. I don’t like to run when it’s hot outside, and I focused more on hiking and mountain climbing this summer. Because I’ve been insanely active, I didn’t think that it would be that hard to get back into running this fall.
Oh, my friends.
A few weeks ago, I decided to give the treadmill a go. I ran one ugly mile. When I stopped running, my butt kept moving.
Bad.
Then, someone who will not be named told me that she didn’t think I could fit into the bridesmaid dress I ordered for Mel’s wedding.
Bad bad bad.
But AP’s reverse psychology has kicked in, and as of last night, I’m back up to 3 miles. You’d have thought I’d won the Olympics. Come Halloween, I’ll be up to 5. And after tomorrow night when I meet with a Viking of a trainer man named Gunnar, I will be back on my way to that ever elusive runner’s booty – the one that I never get, no matter how far I run, but always think MIGHT happen at some point.
For me, running helps ward off depression, insomnia, and existential crises. It’s a good and healthy thing for me to do. I haven’t weighed myself since March of 2009 – which, I might add, is more liberating than terrifying, even though I still have my terrified moments – and while I have a hunch that running actually makes me weigh more, if I don’t ever see that number, it doesn’t even matter. I feel better. I look better. I think better. I sleep better.
In short, I’m back on the path to my better self – the one with happier thoughts and a smaller booty. I know: you’ll hardly recognize me.
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tags: Annie Parsons | Body | Denver | Depression | Exercise | Health | Running | Running
I went on a run last night too! My first one in… I can’t even REMEMBER the last time I ran. I joined a “Fit and Faithful” community group at Bethany so that I would HAVE to go, and it was so good! I met the coolest woman– she’s taking a course to learn how to deal black-jack, rides a motorcycle, is a glass artist, and married her “soul-mate” about two years ago, at age 40-ish. And she didn’t even believe in soul-mates! They met, went on five dates, got engaged, got married, and are still madly in love. Talking to her was so distracting, I totally forgot that I hate running.
And afterwards I thought, “Annie will be so proud of me!” :)
Go you, and go me, and I hope we go fast. :) Or at least, fast-ER.
Go, Annie! You do not need a scale when it is totally apparent to all(no machine needed!) that you are a smoking hot hottie. Truth.
If you find out the elusive secret to the runner’s booty, let me know. It won’t let me find it. I don’t know why miles are so unforgiving when you haven’t paid them attention in awhile. They’re so needy. haha. I just want to say, come on, we’re old friends, you know who I am, stop pretending you don’t!
Glad to have you back to the running world Annie P.! I will inform Drew and your name will no longer be brought up for excommunication at the next East Nasty meeting. :)
I used to worry about my booty. Then I got a teaching job in the inner-city where I hear girls bemoan the fact that they are not “thick” enough. I don’t worry about my booty much these days. Run if it makes you feel good and keeps you healthy, but also surround yourself with people that value a little ba-donk-a-donk. ;)
(p.s. I’m convinced that the real secret to a runner’s booty is lunges… lots of lunges)
I ran my first 5K this weekend (!!!), and let me tell you – each and every mile is something to be proud of. Booty be damned.
you’re inspiring me, annie parsons… per usual.
oh, and some day when geography isn’t quite so cruel, we WILL share a glass of wine and many many words.
p.s. I am SO excited to get your EP in the mail!! AP’s EP!
Thank you for this blog post. It’s exactly what I’ve needed because I quit running around July when it was over 100 degrees every day and haven’t run but once since then. And that one time I ran, I BARELY managed 2 miles. You give me hope that if I just do it, I’ll get back into it sooner than I think. :)
I have found that how many times I have gone to the gym somehow coincides with my level of stress about my current “funemployed” status. Working it out on the elliptical helps me stay sane (as does prayer, all that being done by me and by so many people who love me). I want to start running again but there’s a bit of a fear factor – it’s supposed to be cool but sunny tomorrow so I may give Green Lake a try!
Yes, girl. I did the same thing after running a half marathon- quit running for something like seven months, started up again and wondered what in the heck happened. Running is a very interesting phenomenon :)
you are my heroine. marry me?
I keep meaning to tell you that a runners booty comes fom sprinting not jogging, silly! Or leg lifts and squats. Ask that Viking to help. xxoxoxoxoxooxxooxox
I’m training for my second marathon, and I STILL have not found the runner’s body. It’s gotta be somewhere!
Way to get back at it. :D Your blog is hilarious.
Okay, so how about you come take my bib for the Houston Half at the end of Jan. For free, and then we can hang out. It’s one of the biggest deal marathons in the country and nice weather which you won’t have in CO, what do you say. My ortho surg said I won’t be ready to train in time. Sigh. Will I ever run another step?